Huangfu Yuchen said that the military exercise would last for a total of five days.
Yan Ge arranged the affairs of the company within three days, and made another visit to the clothing store.
A child was suddenly pushed into the middle of the road and fell heavily on the ground, blocking Yan Ge’s path. A bun stained with dirty handprints rolled into the ditch by the roadside.
“Huh? How can you do such a thing to a small child?” Yan Ge looked at the owner of the bun shop.
When the bun shopkeeper saw him, he quickly bowed, “Yan Caiqing, it was a moment of haste on my part. You see, this little beggar has been staying at my bun shop for several days. I’m kind enough to give him two big buns for every meal, but I can’t keep supporting him indefinitely, can I? Today, I didn’t give him any buns, and unexpectedly, he resorted to grabbing it.”
The child got up and hid behind Yan Ge, looking timidly at the shopkeeper and whispered, “I’m hungry…”
Listening to the voice, it sounded more like a girl. Yan Ge looked at Du Juan, “If I remember correctly, the emperor issued a decree before the New Year to provide employment opportunities for beggars in the capital. Those who are physically disabled and unable to support themselves should be taken care of by relief houses. What’s the matter with this child?”
Du Juan said, “Young master, you remember correctly. This child probably came from outside. I’ll ask around and find out.”
The child appeared to be about eight or nine years old, with relatively clear speech. It turned out that she had been kidnapped by human traffickers and had only just managed to escape from their clutches. She had walked for several days along the official road before reaching the capital. She knew her parents’ names and that they lived in a place called Liushui Village, but she didn’t know where exactly this Liushui Village was.
“I see. Du Juan, take her to the relief house,” Yan Ge said in a low voice. “Make sure someone there takes care of her, as she seems to be a little girl.”
“Yes, I will do so.”
After inspecting the construction site, Yan Ge returned to the company and found a delicate little girl sitting in the lobby. Upon closer inspection, she was none other than the beggar girl from before. She was indeed a girl.
“What’s going on?” Yan Ge asked.
Du Juan bowed and apologized, “Please forgive me, young master. I took her to the relief house, but I hadn’t gone far when this little girl…”
“Young master.” Deng Mama called out, seeming to have something to say.
Yan Ge gestured for her to follow him outside.
“Deng Mama, what’s the matter?”
Deng Mama hesitated for a moment, “This servant thinks it would be best for the young master to investigate who this girl really is.”
“Could it be that Deng Mama has discovered something unusual?” Yan Ge’s expression became cold. As someone in the palace and the emperor’s “favorite consort” in the eyes of outsiders, he developed a sense of vigilance. He would not ignore the potential threat posed by the girl just because she was a child.
Deng Mama said, “I’m not sure why, but this servant feels that this child looks somewhat familiar, as if I had seen her somewhere before.”
“I see. Deng Mama, if you can remember when you saw her, perhaps we can help her find her family.”
Deng Mama shook her head, “Perhaps I accidentally saw her once before. I can’t recall.”
“In that case, we’ll have to keep her here for the time being.”
After Yan Ge left, Deng Mama pondered for a while but still couldn’t remember where she had seen the little girl before, so she had to give up.
“What’s your name, little sister?” Du Juan asked.
The little girl was a little nervous due to the unfamiliar surroundings, and she took a moment before answering, “Tong Yiyi.”
“So, your name is Yiyi,” Du Juan said. “Just settle down here for now, but remember not to disturb others while they work.”
Tong Yiyi bit her lip. “Will you send me away? He saved me, and he must be a good person. Can I stay with him?”
Du Juan shook her head with a wry smile. “No, you can’t. It’s the same living here. Don’t worry, no one will bully you here.”
“Then, will you give me to someone else?” Tong Yiyi clasped her clothes and whispered, tears silently streaming down her cheeks.
Du Juan didn’t know what to say for a moment. While she sympathized with the little girl, the headquarters was a sensitive place and involved many confidential matters. Not everyone could stay here for a long time.
“Don’t think too much for now. I’ll have someone bring you some food.”
……
Perhaps all emperors were the same, prioritizing military matters above all else, and Huangfu Yuchen was no exception. In his and Yan Ge’s development plan, the military and economy were given top priority. Yan Ge served as an economic advisor while Huangfu Yuchen oversaw the military. The defense of the capital was of utmost importance, and the Imperial Guards had the responsibility to safeguard the royal family’s security. To counter internal conflicts and defend against external enemies, they became the first to undergo training based on the military book provided by Yan Ge.
The Imperial Guards consisted of thirty thousand soldiers. Except for the necessary troops that couldn’t be withdrawn from guarding the city, all other soldiers were divided into two armies through a lottery system. Everything was conducted as a formal battle, even including the logistics of food and supplies.
Due to the limited time for the military exercise, and the need to not waste too much food, it would only last for five days. The lottery determined which side would be the enemy and which side would defend the capital. The Jing River run east to west and lay south of the capital. The enemy soldiers wore a red cloth band on their left wrists and camped in Henan, while the defending soldiers camped in Hebei.
When Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen arrived, the enemy and defending forces faced each other across the river. Both sides had set up dozens of tents and lit campfires. The tall war drums were also placed.
From a distance, they could see a team of soldiers guarding the bridge checkpoint, another team guarding the food supplies, and a third team patrolling. The remaining soldiers were resting in their tents, making the most of their time. Considering that too much food couldn’t be wasted, the military exercise lasted for only five days, and the food was genuine. The enemy soldiers could only attack the city by crossing the checkpoint five miles away from the South Gate. To win, they had to capture the flag planted there.
Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Ge, “Which side do you want to observe?”
Yan Ge replied, “What do you think?”
Huangfu Yuchen didn’t hesitate, “The enemy side. I’m curious to see if they can break through the checkpoint and enter the capital.”
“Exactly, that way we can better identify our weaknesses,” Yan Ge said.
Huangfu Yuchen showed his golden medal to the commanding officers of the Imperial Guards, and he and Yan Ge crossed the bridge.
Sun Yingxiong, the Right Commander of the Imperial Guards, said to Zhang Yingjie, the Left Commander, “Your Majesty and Yan Caiqing wouldn’t join forces with the enemy against us, would they?”
Zhang Yingjie was a clever and petite man, he whispered, “I dare not guess His Majesty’s intentions. But Yan Caiqing is very unpredictable. I think he might actually support the enemy against us because it would be more interesting.”
These Left and Right Commanders were the main leaders of the defending forces, while Yang Zhuo, the overall Commander, led the enemy forces.
Sun Yingxiong’s face changed, as if facing a formidable enemy. “I think we should do our best to improve our current battle plan.”
“Agreed,” Zhang Yingjie nodded.
Across the river, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were led by a soldier to the tent of the enemy’s main commander, Yang Zhuo.
In the center of the tent, there was a table with a large sand table placed on it. Yang Zhuo was discussing matters with two deputy commanders, Jun Xiang and Ah Fei, as well as two captains.
They quickly saluted Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge, “We pay our respects to Your Majesty and Yan Caiqing!”
Huangfu Yuchen raised his hand, “No need for formalities. We are only here to observe. Please continue your discussions as if we weren’t here.”
“We shall comply with your orders.”
Yang Zhuo and his men continued their discussion, while Yan Ge curiously examined the sand table. The situation on the table was clear at a glance, with the Jing River marked as the main feature. The three main roads leading southeast, south, and southwest were also marked. The mountains, rivers, and roads were realistically depicted.
Jun Xiang spoke first, “We received the same training, and their alertness has increased just like ours. Their arrangements at the bridge checkpoint, the narrowest section of the river, and the food supplies should be similar to ours. It’s difficult to break through in these three areas. Moreover, they have an advantage over us in terms of food supplies. Even if we manage to burn their supplies, they can replenish them from the city in time.”
Yang Zhuo and the others nodded.
At that moment, a loud shout came from the other side of the river, “Yang Zhuo! Come out and meet your death if you dare!”
A soldier hurriedly entered the tent, “Reporting to the General, Deputy Commander Qin Sanyou is issuing a challenge!”
“I heard it myself,” Yang Zhuo said. “You may withdraw.”
“Yes, General.”
Jun Xiang spoke first, “General, we should remain cautious. Our forces and theirs are facing each other across the river. If we engage in battle, should the General go over there or should Qin Sanyou come over here? We can’t just fight on the bridge, can we?”
“Yes, General. As the main commander, you should not easily enter the battle. It might be better for a subordinate to go and respond first,” Ah Fei said.
Yang Zhuo said, “Even if it’s a trap, we need to test it to uncover their next plan. Ah Fei, you go. Be careful.”
“Yes, General!”
Yan Ge watched on with great admiration. Soldiers were soldiers, quickly getting into the right mindset. They used to be comrades, but now they were enemies.
Ah Fei held his sword and went out, followed by Yang Zhuo and Jun Xiang. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen followed from behind.
On the other side of the river, a burly and rugged man, holding a thick iron rod in one hand and with the other on his waist, stood like a door god, his fierce eyes fixed on this side.
Ah Fei shouted, “Deputy Commander Lu Fei is here to accept the challenge!”
Qin Sanyou raised his booming voice, “I want to fight Yang Zhuo! Is he too afraid to come out?”
Ah Fei smiled, “With just you, you’re not qualified to fight our main commander! Provocation won’t work on us. Will you fight or not? If not, I will start.”
Jun Xiang introduced the situation to Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge, “Your Majesty, Yan Caiqing, Qin Sanyou has immense strength, capable of smashing a big pit with a single punch. His weapon, ‘Rod of Deadly Strikes,’ is made of refined iron, weighing eighty catties. Ordinary people can’t even lift it.”
Qin Sanyou shouted, “Fine! You’ll do! But I bet you won’t dare come over here. We’ll fight on the bridge. How about that?”
“If you won’t come over here, I’ll play with you on the bridge!” Ah Fei had extraordinary courage. He leaped onto the water’s surface and landed in the middle of the bridge.
Despite weighing 180 catties, Qin Sanyou’s lightness skill was not inferior. He swiftly ran a few steps and also stood on the bridge. He didn’t say a word, but his Rod of Deadly Strikes swept horizontally towards Ah Fei, creating a powerful gust of wind. Ah Fei leaped lightly, crouching on the stone railing, drew his sword, and advanced to meet the attack.
Both of them were skilled, and neither held back. As a result, the railing of the stone bridge was damaged in several places.
Yan Ge watched with great interest, while Huangfu Yuchen remained silent. They were just spectators for now.
Yang Zhuo couldn’t figure it out, “What are they really up to?”
Captain Luo said, “I can’t figure it out either. Maybe they’re just testing our strength?”
Captain Liu had a different opinion, “There’s no need for that. Although it’s a performance, they are familiar with each other’s abilities. There’s no need for further testing, right?”
Jun Xiang said, “Could it be a diversionary tactic? Right now, everyone’s attention is on Ah Fei and Qin Sanyou. Could the other side take the opportunity to sneak across the river from another location and catch us off guard?”
